Minas Gerais is one of Brazil's 26 states, the second most populous and fourth largest by area. The capital is the city of Belo Horizonte, near the center of the state.
Inspired by the American and French revolutions, a group of Mineiros, led by Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, nicknamed Tiradentes because he was a dentist, tried to break free from Portuguese rule, but was suppressed. The motto of Minas is Libertas quae sera tamen (Liberty, though it be delayed).
"Minas Gerais" means "General Mines". It is so called because of the various mines in the area. Some still operate.
Minas Gerais is also the source of some of the biggest rivers in Brazil, like the São Francisco, the Paraná and the Rio Doce. The state also holds many hydroelectric power plants, including Furnas. Some of the highest peaks in Brazil are in the mountain ranges in the southern part of the state, such as Serra da Mantiqueira and Serra do Cervo, that mark the border between Minas and its neighbors São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The most notable one is the Pico da Bandeira, the third highest mountain in Brazil at 2890 meter, standing on the border with Espirito Santo state. The state also has huge reserves of iron and sizeable reserves of gold and gemstones, including emerald, topaz and aquamarine mines.
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